5/5/08 Representative Maile Shimabukuro

2008 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

All of the bills listed here have been passed by both Houses of the Legislature and await Governor's action before becoming law. I have been responsible for several of them, both as introducer and as Chair of the House Committee on Human Services & Housing. Certain bills directly benefit District 45, which I have represented for the past six years. HOUSING

HB 2500 (Budget) has $3.1 for homeless services ($550,000 for Kahikolu Ohana Hale O Wai'anae, $360,000 for Kalaeloa shelter, $1.85 mil for existing services); $26 mil for Kukui Gardens; $15 mil for Rental Housing Trust Fund; $10 mil for Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund;$1.4 mil for Kaloko Housing on Big Island; $10m for Public Housing R&M; & $6.4m for Public Housing elevator repairs

HB 2511 gives rental assistance applicants up to 3 mos to find qualified dwelling HB 2238 requires public/publicly funded housing to be affordable in perpetuity SB 3174 raises HulaMae multifamily revenue bond authorization to $500,000,000 TRANSPORTATION

HB 357 funds pedestrian safety measures HB 2954 prohibits towing company from charging fees if owner of vehicle appears on the scene; requires 24-hr consumer services from tow companies HB 3377 permits installation of ignition interlock system on vehicle of person arrested for drunk driving HR 190 requests city & state transportation departments to study feasibility of realigning Hakimo Rd at junction with Farrington Highway HR 191 requests Department Of Transportation to update studies on identification & feasibility of alternate route into and out of the Wai'anae Coast

EDUCATION

HB 2500 (Budget Bill) reauthorizes $2 mil for AC & power upgrades at Wai'anae HS; funds improvements at Makaha Elem, Wai'anae Intermed & Wai'anae HS HB 2971 establishes on-line learning task force HB 2972 creates Facilities Alignment Commission to set criteria for school closings and consolidations SB 2004 relates to due process hearings re unilateral special education placement SB 2663 clarifies membership & nomination process of Teacher Standards Board SB 2878 creates an early learning system administered by Early Learning Council SB 2879 establishes a power of attorney for Special Education

SB 3252 appropriates funds to address Hawaii's teacher shortage problem

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HEALTH SB 2459 permits dispensing pharmacies to operate in remote, underserved areas HB 2062 allows persons eligible for Medicaid-funded nursing home care to remain at home and receive long-term care HB 2519 enables Hawaii Health Corps Program to provide loan repayments to physicians & dentists who agree to work in rural & underserved areas. SB 69 temporarily expands eligibility for the Keiki Care Program for children of workers unemployed by the closure of businesses from 2/29/08 thru 9/31/08. HB 2761 requires at least 6 months of post-partum & interconception care for women participating in QUEST health insurance program SB 2542 ensures continued care for uninsured, under-insured, or Medicaid recipients by helping community health center system remain financially viable; provides $1 mil to DOH for direct medical care to uninsured HUMAN SERVICES HB 543 establishes guiding principles for foster children HB 1337 facilitates enforcement of child support orders HB 2730 sets relative preference for children needing protective services HB 2830 deals with family caregiving issues: grandparents raising grandchildren, kupuna care, respite care; increases payments for ARCH homes

HB 1356 extends time for former foster youth to request educ. board allowance HB 2770 expands the Bridge to Hope Program to help participants in First-to- Work Program to pursue a full range of post-secondary education

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT HB 2505 creates renewable energy facilitator position in DBEDT and establishes energy security special fund HB 2507 appropriates funds to support implementation of Act 234 (2007) which created a greenhouse gas emissions task force

HB 2550 Net Energy Metering; raises capacity produced by customer-generators SB 644 mandates solar water heaters for single-family residences as of 1/1/2010; also directs PUC to set solar standards and restricts tax credits SB 871 requires DOE/DOH to establish food waste recycling pilot project SB 988 authorizes a ratepayer-funded photovoltaic rebate program

SB 3001 clarifies use of funds supporting energy-efficiency programs & services SB 3102 allows for deposit of public & private funds into land conservation fund and distributed as grants for acquisition of lands valuable as a state resource SB 2198 land conservation tax credits SB 2843 requires recycling of electronic devices and establishes a fund

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LABOR HB 2710 allows state & county governments to hire retired employees HB 2929 requires independent medical exams for workers compensation cases SB 2262 follows up on Act 245 (2005) which established a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust pilot program; extends the sunset date for program & requires state auditor to analyze cost & financial impact of Act 245. SB 2652 requires the BOE to provide wage adjustments for substitute teachers comparable to adjustments negotiated for teachers in collective bargaining HAWAIIAN HB 2955 establishes an archaeological data survey under the state Museum of Natural & Cultural History in consultation with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs HB 3126 increases loan ceiling for farm & ranch operations on Hawaiian Homelands from $50,000 to $200,000 SB 1035 establishes November 20 as Makahiki Commemoration Day SB 2499 makes kalo the official state plant—effective July 1, 2008 SB 2915 creates and funds the Taro Security and Purity Task Force AGRICULTURE HB 2261 includes farm and aquaculture projects in existing loan programs HB 2739 allows agricultural business to qualify as enterprise zone

MA'O Farm: a $737,000 award, pending BLNR approval, has been made by the Legacy Lands Commission to Waianae's MA'O farm to purchase 11 acres in Lualualei Valley

SB 2849 permits use of lands in agricultural land use districts to be used for agriculture energy facilities provided that primary activity is agricultural SB 2956 helps local dairies with pricing & funds strategic plan for milk industry SB 2850 establishes/funds biosecurity program to prevent/control invasive species CONSUMER PROTECTION SB 2150 expands adult protective services to vulnerable adults

HB 2326 requires mortgage foreclosure rescuers to provide specific information & disclosures to distressed property owners & imposes prohibitions on rescuers HB 2224 requires group health issuers to offer small group health plans to self employed individuals

ECONOMY HB 3174 clarifies that state administrative rules are to be consistent with federal fisheries regulation

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SB 2196 grants regulatory authority to the Dept of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) over certain commercial activities at boating facilities & on ocean waters SB 2838 allows splitting and direct deposit of income tax returns to checking or savings accts. SB 2840 requires DBEDT to establish an economic self-sufficiency standard GOVERNMENT HB 661 creates comprehensive public funding for county council elections HB 2730 sets requirements regarding sunshine law for Neighborhood Bd mtgs SB 156 authorizes permanent absentee voting SB 2898 lets states determine presidential election winner by popular vote PUBLIC SAFETY HB 2500 has $43,000 for lifeguard services at Keawa'ula , Kaena Pt. State Park HB 2034 makes it a violation to leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle SB 2218 requires electronic monitoring of persons convicted of violating a domestic abuse TRO or protective order SB 2373 requires pharmacies to maintain electronic log of sales of pseudo- ephedrine & related products and transmit data to Narcotics Enforcement Div MILITARY HB 2605 exempts vehicle weight tax for one non-commercial vehicle per member of the National Guard or Reserves SB 3240 provides that military personnel whose driver's license has expired while on active duty outside of country can drive for 90 days on return to US HCR 114/HR 97 requests state Department of Defense to study feasibility of using Navy facilities at Lualualei as emergency shelter for civilians